Microscopium, the Microscope

Mic

Microscopii

Sky Chart and Artist Rendering of Microscopium

Origin:
Introduced by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille in 1752 to honor the important scientific instrument.  Lacaille immortalized another optical instrument, the telescope, in the nearby star group Telescopium.

Information:
Barely perceptible Microscopium contains only faint stars and is otherwise completely undistinguished. Microscopium is south of Capricornus, the Sea Goat, and culminates low in the south for northern observers at 9 pm around October 2.  The constellation contains one bright spiral galaxy and several multiple stars.